Business Economics

Entry requirements for the Master of Business Economics

Entry requirements for the Master of Business Economics

Diploma requirements

Students who have not obtained a diploma in Belgium, the Netherlands or Luxembourg should submit an application for screening through Mobility Online. Applications open in November of the academic year preceding enrollment.

Direct admission

The following academic degrees, obtained in Belgium or the Netherlands (NL), will give direct access to the Master:

  • Bachelor in de toegepaste economische wetenschappen: bedrijfskunde
  • Bachelor in Business Economics
  • Bachelor in de toegepaste economische wetenschappen: economisch beleid
  • Bachelor in de toegepaste economische wetenschappen
  • Bachelor in de economische wetenschappen
  • Bachelor handelsingenieur
  • Bachelor of Business Engineering
  • Bachelor handelsingenieur in de beleidsinformatica
  • Bachelor of Social-Economic Sciences
  • Master in de handelswetenschappen*
  • Master of Business Administration*
  • Bachelor in economie en bedrijfseconomie (NL)
  • Bachelor of Economics and Business Economics (NL)
  • Bachelier en Sciences Economiques (LUX)

* Please note that a Flemish Bachelor in de handelswetenschappen (Bachelor of Business Administration) or HBO degree does not provide access to the Master of Business Economics. Students with a bachelor in handelswetenschappen need to apply via the website and have to take up one or more courses of the preparatory programme.

Access with degree Social-Economic Sciences

Students who have obtained or will obtain a bachelor sociaal-economische wetenschappen (Social-Economic Sciences) will be granted access to the Master in Business Economics, provided that they have selected the major "Business Economics" in their bachelor. Students who have chosen a different major can also apply, but have to take up one or more courses of the preparatory programme. Students sociaal-economische wetenschappen need to complete the online form to start their application.

Access after admission procedure

Academic bachelor's degree in (Business) Economics or equivalent

As a minimum eligibility requirement, applicants must hold an academic bachelor degree from a recognized university in Economics or Business Economics, a master's degree in Business Administration, or an equivalent diploma. The diploma must correspond to at least 180 ECTS of bachelor courses (three years of full-time studies) at university level. Applicants in their final bachelor year are also encouraged to apply. In such a case, the offer of admission is conditional upon completion of the undergraduate degree before enrollment in the Master.

When starting the Master's programme, students should have a thorough knowledge and understanding of Research methodology, Mathematics, Macro- and Micro-economics, Financial and Management Accounting, Corporate Finance, Marketing and Management. Students who have obtained or will obtain an academic (or research) bachelor's degree in (Business) Economics or equivalent can apply to the Master's programme. In some cases, a preparatory programme may be required to fill limited expertise gaps. 

Other diplomas

Students who have obtained or will obtain an academic bachelor's or master’s degree in a discipline different from Business Economics will have to follow a preparatory programme of max. 54 ECTS. Students may receive some exemptions in the preparatory programme based on the obtained credits in their prior study programme(s). Depending on the load of the preparatory programme, students may be allowed to combine the preparatory programme with certain courses of the master. In that case, the master diploma can be obtained in 1,5 or two years. 

Language proficiency

The programme is in English. If your degree was not issued by a recognized educational institution in Belgium, the Netherlands or Luxembourg, you will have to provide evidence of your level of English. Such proof should be sought in advance of the application window. Recognized language certificates and proficiency levels are the following:

  • TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) score of 80 or higher.
  • Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 6.5 or higher, with a minimum of 6.0 for each part.
  • ITACE (Interuniversity Test of Academic English for Students) with minimum level B2.
  • B2 First certificate Cambridge Assessment English
  • A prior full English-language diploma in the UK, Ireland, US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand.

In case of doubt, the board of admissions may wish to verify your command of English, for example, through an (online) interview.

GMAT or GRE

Unless exempted, applicants should include a GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition or GRE test result in their application:

  • GMAT overall score of 600 or higher and  a minimum score of 49 on the quantitative part (from February 1, 2024 it will no longer be possible to take the GMAT test);
  • ​GMAT Focus Edition overall score of 565 or higher and minimum score of 82 on quantitative reasoning;
  • GRE with a minimum score of 160 on quantitative reasoning and a minimum score of 152 on verbal reasoning.

Students are exempted from submitting a GMAT (Focus Edition)/GRE test result if they have obtained their (business) economics degree at one of the following institutions:

How to apply & enrol